Suppository

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a suppository which includes two smooth-surfaced, body indissolvable bulbs approximately spherical or ellipsoidal in shape secured together by a body-indissolvable connecting member. The cross sectional area of the connecting member combined with any medication which may surround it is less than the combined cross sectional area of the bulbs and any medication which may surround them, so that when the suppository is inserted into the anal canal, the bulbs at each end straddle the anal sphincter muscles.

United States Patent Groves 1 Dec. 11, 1973 SUPPOSITORY 3,102,540 9/1963Bentov 122 232 3,126,887 3/1964 Gordon 128/271 [76] al g' g 3,570,489 31971 Brown [28/271 por n v [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1972 PrimaryExaminerAldrich F. Medbery [21] pp No 238 305 Attorney-Alan L. Newmanand Armand Cifelli [57] ABSTRACT [52] Cl 128,271 Ka Disclosed is asuppository which includes two smooth- [51] Int Cl Aflm 31/00 surfaced,body indissolvable bulbs approximately [58] Fie'ld X 270 271 sphericalor ellipsoidal in shape secured together by a 5 X 46/47body-indissolvable connecting member. The cross sectional area of theconnecting member combined with [56] References Cited any medicationwhich may surround it is less than the combined cross sectional area ofthe bulbs and any UNITED STATES PATENTS medication which may surroundthem, so that when 896,409 8/1908 McMurtry 128/271 the suppository isinserted into the anal canal, the 25 322 g lf bulbs at each end straddlethe anal sphincter muscles.

m1 3,095,877 7/1963 Rowan 128/260 20 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures "imnmi jPATENTEDUEE 11 I915 8777.755

SHEET 10! 2 PATENTEI] DEC 1 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 SUPPOSITORY BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of devicesfor applying medicine to the body and particularly to the field ofsuppositories.

One of the principal requirements for applying topical medication isthat the medication remain in the desired body area for sufficientduration of time. For example, in the treatment of hemorrhoids in theanal canal, it is desirable that the medication be applied over manyhours. Due to the normal functioning of the sphincter muscle, however,an inserted suppository tends to be either propelled upwardly into therectum away from the anal canal or be propelled downwardly anddischarged from the body. In either of these cases, the medication isnot properly maintained at the desired location for a sufficientduration of time.

Prior attempts at overcoming the problem of maintaining medication inthe anal canal have not been sufficiently satisfactory. Thosesuppositories having head or tail portions comprised of abody-dissolvable solid, for example, those having an oil or wax base,are ineffective after the head or tail portion dissolves because thesuppository slips or is forced away from its desired position straddlingthe anal sphincter muscle. Those suppositories utilizingbody-dissolvable materials to form flange or disc portions areirritating to the tissues of the anal verge, especially after being inplace several hours and being subjected to normal body movements, andmore so if some or all of the medication has been dissolved away. Othersuppositories are complex and therefore cannot be manufactured at asufficiently low cost to satisfy the needs of the consumer market. Othersuppositories in the prior art have employed rigid and relativelycylindrical members which enclose a reservoir of medication which seepsthrough perforations in the cylinder wall to apply the medication to thedisturbed area. These reservoir devices are not entirely satisfactory tothe extent that the medicine is impeded from seeping through the walland from making sufficient contact with the tissues of the affectedarea. Stoppage resulting from tissue flow into the perforations mayoccur and, if severe enough, may necessitate surgical removal of thesuppository. Another suppository utilizes a cotton War! to form a baseportion. Such wads,

however, can be unsatisfactory in that the tissues of the anal vergebecome chafed from unlubricated portions of the wad which exist becauselubricants do not satisfactorily seep through the wad.

In accordance with the above background of the invention, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a device for applyingmedicine to the anal canal which overcomes the above-described problemsattendent prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes twosmooth-surfaced, body indissolvable bulbs approximately spherical orellipsoidal in shape secured together by a bodyindissolvable connectingmember. The cross sectional area of the connecting member combined withany medication which may surround it is less than the combined crosssectional area of the bulbs and any medication which may surround them,so that when the suppository is inserted into the anal canal, the bulbsat each end straddle the anal sphincter muscles. More particularly, onebulb is located adjacent the upper ends of the Crypts of Morgagni in therectal ampulla and the other is located snugly in the anal verge.

The various embodiments and variations of the invention include use ofpathogenically inert materials, bulbs and connecting members of variouscharacteristics such as hollow or solid, rigid or flexible, absorbing ornon-absorbing and constructed in accordance with a number ofmanufacturing techniques.

The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1(a) depicts an embodiment of thepresent invention wherein indissolvable spheres, such as cotton orplastic, are fixed on either end of a connecting shaft.

FIG. 1(b) depicts the device of FIG. 1 with further medication shown inplace in partial cross-section.

FIG. 2 depicts a partial sectional view of a device in which the bulbsand connecting member are formed from a single piece of plastic such asby molding.

FIG. 3 depicts a variation of the FIG. 1 device in which the connectingmember is a hollow, flexible tube adapted to receive a rigid insertionmember through a hole in one of the bulbs.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment wherein the connecting member of the FIG. 1device includes a plurality of smaller bulbs or enlargements between thetwo end bulbs.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention in which two indissolvablebulbs are affixed together by a flexible thread.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the invention in which one or moresmaller bulb members or enlargements are attached to an extension of theconnecting member on a side of one of the two bulbs remote from theother bulb.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment in which. a rigid insertion member connectsthrough at least one of the bulbs parallel to the interconnectingthread.

FIG. 8(a) depicts an embodiment of the invention wherein the connectingmember is an elastic shown in the contracted position.

FIG. 8(b) depicts the device of FIG. 8(a) wherein the elastic isextended.

FIG. 9 depicts a suppository wherein the bulbs and connecting member arehollow and permeable.

FIG. 10 depicts a suppository with wad of absorbant material connectedto the extra-corporeal bulb for the purpose of absorbing excessmedication.

FIG. 11 depicts a suppository with cotton spun at each end with theoutermost portion of one bulb uncoated for the purpose of absorbingexcess dissolved medicaments.

FIG. 12 depicts a suppository with an increased amount of medicationadjacent the inserted bulb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIG. 1(a), a device 1, inaccordance with the present invention, is shown. Device .1 includes afirst bulb 2 generally in the form of a sphere connected by a connectingmember 4 to a second bulb 3 also generally in the form of a sphere. Thebulbs 2 and 3 vary in size depending upon the animal or human in whichthey are to be used. For the typical adult human, the bulbs rangeapproximately from A to inch in diameter.

In FIG. 1(b), device 1 is shown with medication 6, shown in partialcross-section, surrounding the connecting member 4. The cross-sectionalarea of the connecting member 4 together with the medication 6 is lessthan the cross-sectional area of either bulbs 2 or 3. In use, the device1 with or without appropriate medication 6 is inserted through the analopening (not shown) to a point where the portion of bulb 3 nearest theconnecting member 4 engages the anal sphincter (not shown) therebypreventing the action of the sphincter muscle from propelling the wholedevice 1 upwardly into the lower rectum. With the bulb 3 held againstthe sphincter muscle in the manner indicated, the bulb 2 becomes engagedabove the anal sphincter in the area of the crypts of Morgagni, therebyhelping to prevent device 1 from being propelled downwardly and out ofthe body.

With the bulbs 2 and 3 positioned in this manner, the connecting member4 and medication 6 are positioned in the anal canal from the anal verge,along the interior walls of the anal canal to the rectal ampulla.

The medication 6 is typically of a body dissolvable type which acts toslowly dissolve either as a result of contact with body fluid or as aresult of the temperature of the body. Typical medications of that typeare formulated with a polyethylene glycol base which acts as a vehiclefor dispersing the active medication employed.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connectingmember 4 is a stick, either flexible or semi-rigid, of plastic orplastic coated paper approximately 0.050 inch in diameter and the bulbs2 and 3 are spherically-shaped balls of cotton approximately 0.5 inch indiameter. Balls 2 and 3, for example, are formed by spinning cotton ontoeach end of stick 4. Cotton is initially anchored to each end of stick 4being spinning. The anchoring is typically achieved at each end usingbonding cement or by heat plasticizing the ends of the stick 4. Afteranchoring and during the spinning, the cotton is bound to itself throughimpregnation using, for example, resins. Other materials such as latexesand sizing compounds may, of course, also be used. Each cotton bulb issubsequently coated with a resin or other materials like those indicatedto provide a smooth, lubricated surface that is compatible with andnonirritating to the delicate tissues of the anal tract. The connectingmember 4 is thereafter surrounded by a slowly dissolving solidsuppository base 6 which contains medicaments which are like those usedin conventional hemorrhoidal suppositories known in the prior art. Themedicament is carried in a suppository base which acts as a vehicle forimparting sustained medication to the affected parts over a period ofhours while melting slowly. Examples of suitable suppository basesinclude polyethylene glycols, glycerogelatins, gelatins, waxes, modifiedfats and fatty oils; but, of course, similar materials may be employed.

The general spheriodal shape, the firmness and the smooth surface of thebulbs 2 and 3 contribute to the effectiveness of the suppository of thepresent invention. Specifically, the smooth surface of theextracorporeal bulb (either bulb 2 or 3) allows it to be envelopedcomfortably in the cleavage of the buttocks so as to be seated snuglyinto and against the anal verge. The

extra-corporeal bulb is maintained in that position both by the upwardpush of the sphincter muscle against the inserted bulb and by the upwardforces resulting from the pressure of the buttocks.

The smooth, convex surface of the extra-corporeal bulb together with itslubricating coating (e.g., wax, plastic, rubber) assures that itscontact with the tender affected anal parts will be non-irritating evenover a prolonged period of time, particularly when part or all of themedicaments have been dissolved. These surface characteristics of thepresent invention give rise to a lubricous contact between thesuppository and the body which is in contrast to the irritating effectsof the suppositories having metal or rubber flanges or uncoated texturedcotton surfaces.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the uppersurface of the extra-corporeal bulb (when in position) gives prolongedsupport to affected parts which otherwise tend to prolapse downward andtend to be prevented from returning upward by the anal sphinctermuscles, especially if these muscles are in spasm. In conjunction withthis prolonged support, the constant presence of the suppository in theanal canal tends to stimulate nerves in the area which allow thesphincter muscles to relax. This stimulation together with anypain-relieving effects of the medication combine to help overcomeproctospasm which is a major malevolent factor in the treatment ofhemorrhoids.

The inner (inserted or inter-corporeal) bulb is similar to theextra-corporeal bulb in being generally spheroidal in shape with alubricous, pathogenically inert surface insuring non-irritating contactwith the tissues above the anal sphincter muscles. The size of the innerbulb to inch) while being sufficiently large enough to prevent,generally, expulsion of the suppository during normal body movements,even during slight voluntary relaxation of the anal sphincter by thepatient, is also sufficiently small enough to afford comfortableexpulsion during bowel movements or manual removal by the patient.

As previously described, one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention includes body-indissolvable bulbs 2 and 3 of spun cotton. Inanother preferred embodiment, the bulbs 2 and 3 are plastic. The plasticbulbs are attached to the previously described sticklike connectingmember 4, for example, by cement or heat welding. The medication islocated between the bulbs in the same manner as shown and describedabove in connection with FIG. 1(b).

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the present invention wherein bulbs2 and 3 and the connecting member 4 are one solid, continuous piece ofplastic, such as formed, for example, by injection molding. Medication 6is included as in FIG. 1(b).

Referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention is depicted inwhich body-indissolvable bulbs 12 and 13 are connected by a tubularmember 14 which has a hollow center 17. Tube 14 is typically injectionmolded together with bulbs 12 and 13 or alternatively is connected tothose bulbs by conventional methods such as welding when heat formableplastics are used. The hollow center 17 extends through the bulb 13providing an opening 18 for receiving a rigid insertion member 19.Insertion member 19 extends through the bulb l3 and member 14terminating in the vicinity of bulb 12. Member 19 is made of a strong,rigid material such as metal or hard plastic and functions to addrigidity to the device of FIG. 3, particularly during insertion. Theinsertion member 19 is readily extracted and may be discarded, forexample, after insertion in the body.

Bulb 12 in FIG. 3 is shaped with a conical end 12' as an aid to easyinsertion. In addition to the conical shape, spherical or otherbulb-like shapes, of course, can be employed. Like the device of FIG. 1,the bulbs 12 and 13 of FIG. 3 may be formed of any body indissolvablematerial.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the invention is shown wherein thebody-indissolvable bulbs 22 and 23 are connected by a connecting shaft24 which includes one or more interior bulbs 28. Bulbs 28 together withthe medicine 26 serve the dual functions of aiding the adhesion of themedicine to the connecting member 24 while also helping to prevent thepropulsion of the suppository either upwardly into the rectum ordownwardly out of the body. The medicine 26 and connecting member 24including the balls 28 have, as in the other embodiments of theinvention, a smaller cross-sectional area than do the bulbs 22 and 23.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the invention is shown in whichthe bulbs 32 and 33 have a connecting member 34 in the form ofa thread,typically made of nylon. Thread 34 supports the medication 36 betweenbulbs 32 and 33. Thread 34 is attached, for example, to the bulbs 32 and34 by means of knots 38 and 39 on either sides of the bulbs,respectively. Further, the connecting member 34 after extending throughbulb 32 continues after one of the knots 39 with a tail portion 40. Thedevice of FIG. 5 is adapted for insertion of bulb 32 into the body. Whenit is desired to remove the suppository, the tail portion 40 provides aconvenient cord to effect removal. The tail 40, of course, need not beemployed if not desired.

Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 5 is shownwhere inFIG. 6, the spherical balls 42 and 43 are connected by a thread44 around which is secured the medicine 46. Additionally, the thread 44also extends from the opposite side of ball 42 where it secures twoadditional smaller size balls 48 and 48. The balls 48 and 48' supportthe conical shaped medicine 46' which in addition to increasingmedication functions to aid in the insertion of the FIG. 6 device in thesame manner as the conical shape of the FIG. 3 device aids in itsinsertion.

Referring to FIG. 7, a variation of the FIG. 3 device is shown. In FIG.7, the bulbs 52 and 53 are separated by the medicine 56 around theconnecting thread 54.

Juxtiposed the thread 54 is a rigid insertion member 59 analogous toinsertion member 19 of FIG. 3, which imparts rigidity to the FIG. 7device, particularly during insertion. Member 59 may be readilyextracted after insertion of the FIG. 7 device and thereafter discarded.Also note in connection with FIG. 7 that the medicine 56 may be extendedin shallow layers 56 and 56" around the bulbs 52 and 53, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 8(a), an elastic embodiment of the present inventionis depicted. In FIG. 8(a), the connecting member 64 is an elastic threadwhich supports the medicine 66 as shown in therelaxed, short condition.In FIG. 8(b), the connecting member 64 is shown in the tensioned, longcondition (somewhat exagger ated for clarity). In one embodiment, theextension beyond the relaxed position is approximately /2 inch for atensioning force of 2 pounds.

In FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b), a ball 68 is connected to the elastic member64 in order to impede travel of the medication 66 along the thread 64particularly during insertion and in the extended condition of FIG.8(b). Knots 70, or other terminators, are located to secure thread 64 toballs 62 and 63.

Referring to FIG. 9, a suppository having a permeable wall is shown inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9,this suppository includes bulbs 72 and 73 connected together by a hollowtubular connecting member 74. The bulb-like ends 72 and 73 and theconnecting member 74 enclose a hollow central cavity 75. Cavity 75includes the medication which operates to seep through the walls of thebulbs 72 and 73 as well as the connecting member 74. Accordingly, thewall portions of the entire device of FIG. 9 are permeable to themedication contained within the cavity 75. For example, a polyethyleneplastic having punctures therein is one example of a suitably permeablematerial.

Referring to FIG. 10, a suppository similar to that shown in FIG. 5 isdepicted which additionally includes a swab 76 formed of soft cotton orother absorbing material. Swab 76 is attached to the bulb 33, in theembodiment of FIG. 10, by the connecting thread 34 and the knot 78. Thefunction of the swab 76 is to collect and absorb excretions.

Referring to FIG. 1 l, a suppository like that depicted in FIG. 1(b) isshown wherein the bulb 82 is like bulb 2 and is formed by spinningcotton techniques. Similarly, the bulb-like element 83 is also cotton orother absorbing material, but it is not spun into a relativelyhard-surfaced bulb-like bulb 82, but rather is loosetextured like theswab 76 in FIG. 10. The medication 86 is located between the bulb-likestructures 82 and 83 in the same manner as in FIG. 1(b).

Referring to FIG. 12, the suppository of the general type shown in FIG.2 is depicted wherein additional medication 96, is formed and located onthe side of bulb 92 opposite the connecting member 94. In the device ofFIG. 12, the bulbs 92 and 93, connected by connecting member 94 functionin the same manner as previously described in connection with FIG. 2.The medication 96 located as shown in FIG. 12 when inserted into thebody extends further up into the rectal canal.

While various features of the present invention have been disclosed inconnection with one or more embodiments of the invention, variouscombinations of features can be used on any embodiment in accordancewith the present invention.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for applying medication to parts of the body comprisingfirst and second body-indissolvable bulbs centrally secured in spacedrelation by a thin bendablebody-indissolvable connecting member having asmaller cross-sectional area than the crosssectional area of said bulbs,said thin bendable bodyindissolvable connecting member comprising means2. The device of claim 1 wherein said thin bendable connecting member isa hollow plastic tube and wherein said device further includes a rigidinsertion member for extending through at least one of said bulbs andinto said hollow tube for maintaining said device rigid while beinginserted into a body opening.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said bulbs are plastic bulbs having adiameter within the range of approximately to inch and wherein said thinbendable connecting member has a length in the range from 1 /2 to 3inches.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said bulbs and said connecting memberare formed as one continuous piece of smooth plastic or similarmaterial.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said bulbs are formed of a spun,fiberous, absorbing material.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said material is cotton coated with alubricous material (e.g. wax, plastic, or rubber).

7. The device of claim 1 further including another section of the thinbendable connecting member extending outwardly from one of said bulbsand away from the other of said bulbs for connecting one or more smallerbulbs to said one of said bulbs for securing a nose portion ofbody-dissolvable medication thereto.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said bulbs includes an absorbingwad connected on the opposite side from said connecting member.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said bulbs is at least partiallyformed of a loose absorbing material 10. The device of claim 9 whereinone of said bulbs is formed of tightly spun and packed cotton or otherfibrous material and the other of said bulbs is formed of loosely spuncotton or other fibrous material.

11. The device of claim 1 further including medication adhered to one ofsaid bulbs on a surface opposite the side of said connecting member.

12. The device of claim 1 and further comprising body-dissolvablemedication supported about said connecting member and surrounding atleast one of said bulbs, the cross-sectional area of the connectingmember and medication supported thereabout being smaller than thecross-sectional area of either of the bulbs and any medicationsurrounding said bulbs.

13. A suppository comprising, first and second bodyindissolvable bulbs,each secured to a bodyindissolvable thread in proximity to a differentend thereof, and a body-dissolvable medication adhered to said threadbetween said bulbs, said thread together with said medication having asmaller cross-sectional area than said bulbs, wherein said medication issubstantially rigid when outside the body for providing rigidity of thesuppository during insertion.

14. The device of claim 13 further including at least one smaller bulbor enlargement between said first and second bulbs to further securesaid medication to said thread.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said thread has an elasticityenabling it to stretch under force tending to separate the bulbs.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said elasticity enables said bulbs toincrease in separation a distance exceeding approximately 1 /2 incheswhen a force of approximately 2 pounds is applied.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein said bulbs and said medicationinclude openings for receiving a removable, rigid insertion member whichadds rigidity to the suppository.

18. The device of claim 13 further including at least one smaller bulbor enlargement between said first and second bulbs to further securesaid medication to said thin bendable connecting member.

19. A suppository comprising first and second bodyindissolvable bulbssecured in spaced relation by a body-indissolvable thread supporting abodydissolvable medication around said thread and between said bulbs,wherein said medication is substantially rigid when outside the body forproviding rigidity of the suppository during insertion.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said bulbs are formed of a spun,fibrous, absorbing material.

1. A device for applying medication to parts of the body comprisingfirst and second body-indissolvable bulbs centrally secured in spacedrelation by a thin bendable body-indissolvable connecting member havinga smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of saidbulbs, said thin bendable bodyindissolvable connecting member comprisingmeans for supporting a body-dissolvable medication thereabout.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said thin bendable connecting member is ahollow plastic tube and wherein said device further includes a rigidinsertion member for extending through at least one of said bulbs andinto said hollow tube for maintaining said device rigid while beinginserted into a body opening.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein saidbulbs are plastic bulbs having a diameter within the range ofapproximately 3/4 to 3/8 inch and wherein said thin bendable connectingmember has a length in the range from 1 1/2 to 3 inches.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said bulbs and said connecting member are formed asone continuous piece of smooth plastic or similar material.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said bulbs are formed of a spun, fiberous,absorbing material.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said material iscotton coated with a lubricous material (e.g. wax, plastic, or rubber).7. The device of claim 1 further including another section of the thinbendable connecting member extending outwardly from one of said bulbsand away from the other of said bulbs for connecting one or more smallerbulbs to said one of said bulbs for securing a nose portion ofbody-dissolvable medication thereto.
 8. The device of claim 1 whereinone of said bulbs includes an absorbing wad connected on the oppositeside from said connecting member.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein oneof said bulbs is at least partially formed of a loose absorbing material10. The device of claim 9 wherein one of said bulbs is formed of tightlyspun and packed cotton or other fibrous material and the other of saidbulbs is formed of loosely spun cotton or other fibrous material. 11.The device of claim 1 further including medication adhered to one ofsaid bulbs on a surface opposite the side of said connecting member. 12.The device of claim 1 and further comprising body-dissolvable medicationsupported about said connecting member and surrounding at least one ofsaid bulbs, the cross-sectional area of the connecting member andmedication supported thereabout being smaller than the cross-sectionalarea of either of the bulbs and any medication surrounding said bulbs.13. A suppository comprising, first and second body-indissolvable bulbs,each secured to a body-indissolvable thread in proximity to a differentend thereof, and a body-dissolvable medication adhered to said threadbetween said bulbs, said thread together with said medication having asmaller cross-sectional area than said bulbs, wherein said medicatiOn issubstantially rigid when outside the body for providing rigidity of thesuppository during insertion.
 14. The device of claim 13 furtherincluding at least one smaller bulb or enlargement between said firstand second bulbs to further secure said medication to said thread. 15.The device of claim 13 wherein said thread has an elasticity enabling itto stretch under force tending to separate the bulbs.
 16. The device ofclaim 15 wherein said elasticity enables said bulbs to increase inseparation a distance exceeding approximately 1 1/2 inches when a forceof approximately 2 pounds is applied.
 17. The device of claim 13 whereinsaid bulbs and said medication include openings for receiving aremovable, rigid insertion member which adds rigidity to thesuppository.
 18. The device of claim 13 further including at least onesmaller bulb or enlargement between said first and second bulbs tofurther secure said medication to said thin bendable connecting member.19. A suppository comprising first and second body-indissolvable bulbssecured in spaced relation by a body-indissolvable thread supporting abody-dissolvable medication around said thread and between said bulbs,wherein said medication is substantially rigid when outside the body forproviding rigidity of the suppository during insertion.
 20. The deviceof claim 19 wherein said bulbs are formed of a spun, fibrous, absorbingmaterial.